A Pretend Betrothal, page 10
“No. We renewed our acquaintance upon my return home, and matters progressed from there.”
“I wish you happiness.” Garland smiled. “If you’re available, why don’t you swing by the club tomorrow afternoon, and we’ll talk more?”
“I’d like that.” Michael bid him goodbye and continued his search for Tibby.
It didn’t take long for him to see her speaking with friends a short distance away. He took a moment to admire her appearance this evening as she looked especially lovely.
Her emerald-green gown featured a low neckline with a narrow cream-colored ruffle along the edge. The ruffle repeated in tiers along the hemline. Her hair was twisted upward into an elegant coiffure with several strands left unbound to frame her face, making her eyes look even bigger.
Light filled her expression as she spoke with the other ladies, bringing to mind his mother’s remark about staying home too often. He need only see the happiness on Tibby’s expression to know he was doing the right thing. She needed time with friends, too. Staying home to care for her mother so often wasn’t good for either of them.
As if feeling the weight of his regard, Tibby turned and met his gaze, and her face brightened even more. Her obvious joy at seeing him created a lightness in his chest that nearly had him pressing a hand against it.
How interesting to realize that while he’d had the opportunity to see wonderous lands, meet interesting people, gained lifetime friends, and done things he hadn’t known he was capable of during his time in the army, none of those experiences compared to this feeling.
A voice inside his head reminded him this wasn’t real. At least, it wasn’t supposed to be. Still, he found himself walking forward to greet her as if it was. Surely he was just playing the part for her friends. However, the need to name a reason for his actions fell away as he reached for her hand.
“Good evening, Tibby.”
“Michael. How nice to see you.”
“You look beautiful this evening.”
Her eyes widened even as her cheeks grew pink. “Thank you.”
He forced his gaze to shift away so he could greet her friends, two of the three he’d met before.
Both ladies watched him with even more curiosity than last time, if that was possible. Did that mean she had told them the news?
“My mother was quite excited to speak with her friends this evening,” he began once they’d finished exchanging pleasantries and he had a moment with Tibby while her friends spoke together.
“Oh?” Tibby’s brow lifted. “Why is that?”
“She’s anxious to tell them of our betrothal.”
Tibby’s lips parted, her surprise obvious.
Michael was pleased he wasn’t the only one to be startled. Could she possibly feel the same way he did, as if this was somehow the point of no return?
“I suppose I thought we would have more time.” Her brow puckered with concern.
He leaned close. “Shouldn’t we proceed with...everything? Is there a reason to wait?”
“I suppose not.” She pressed a hand to her middle, making him wonder at her thoughts.
“But?” He knew her well enough to sense her hesitation.
Her lips tightened, then she whispered, “It just seems like the more people we tell, the more guilt I carry.”
That was something he understood completely. “As do I. But keeping it a secret wouldn’t serve our purpose.”
She heaved a sigh. “You’re right, of course.” Her gaze sought his. “I know your mother’s been suggesting you consider taking a wife, but I don’t like to fool her.”
Nor did he. “We must think of this as real for the moment. No one need know that it’s only temporary.”
“Very well.”
He could see his words didn’t completely reassure her. That was something else they had in common. He wasn’t fully certain they were doing the right thing either. However, now wasn’t the time or place to reconsider. That moment had passed.
“Shall we stroll around the ballroom?” he asked. They both needed to stop dwelling on doubts. A distraction was needed.
Tibby smiled. “Yes. Victor and Elizabeth are here somewhere, though I’ve lost track of them.”
After a nod at her friends, she took his arm, and they moved slowly around the ballroom.
They hadn’t gone far when Tibby stiffened and pulled back on his arm. The look of alarm on her face had him following her gaze to find the cause. Two ladies who looked alike enough to be sisters held Tibby’s attention, but he didn’t recognize either of them. Still, there was no denying the dismay on Tibby’s face. “What is it?”
She smoothed her features and gave a small shake of her head. “Nothing.”
He knew it was something. His protective instincts rose like a flag on the battlefield to alert the troops. He might not see the problem, and he was somewhat disappointed that Tibby didn’t confide in him, but that wouldn’t prevent him from protecting her.
First, he needed to understand the threat.
TIBBY KNEW IT WAS RIDICULOUS to try to avoid Lady Lucinda and her sister, Lady Jane, but conversations with them never went well.
Sharing the news of her ‘betrothal’ with Harriet and Frances was one thing. Sharing it with the two sisters was another matter entirely and one for which she wasn’t prepared. Especially not after what they’d done to her friend, Phoebe, after Lady Lucinda had overheard Phoebe and Frances speaking about the literary league’s secret agenda.
Panic struck and she tried to guide Michael in the opposite direction of the ladies.
Much to her chagrin, he planted his feet and looked down at her. “There is nothing we can’t overcome together.”
The urge to scoff nearly overcame her. Had he forgotten that none of this was real? Did he need to be reminded of that?
She stared at him with dismay, only to note the sincerity of his expression. The way he held her gaze with such confidence and affection caught her breath. But it was affection between friends, she reminded herself. Nothing more. She couldn’t expect his feelings to have changed this quickly.
“Let us weather the storm together,” he murmured. Then he escorted her forward, still looking into her eyes as if she were the only person in the room who mattered.
“Lady Tabitha, how surprising to see you here this evening,” Lady Lucinda said.
“You so rarely attend balls,” Lady Jane added.
Tibby wrenched her gaze from Michael to greet the two ladies. “Good evening.” Did she bother to address their comments?
Lady Lucinda looked over Michael from head to toe as if she were a cat and he a tasty morsel on a plate. “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of being introduced to your companion.” The lady glanced between them, her curiosity obvious. “Is he your cousin?”
The barb struck Tibby. How clever of Lady Lucinda to suggest Michael wouldn’t be bothered with Tibby unless they were related.
“Nothing of the sort,” Michael responded with a charming smile. “Lady Tabitha and I have been...friends for some time.” The emphasis he placed on the term suggested so much more.
So much more that it—and his gaze—made Tibby shiver.
She made the introductions but couldn’t bring herself to claim Michael as her fiancé. His questioning look weighed on her as he spoke with the sisters. Still, Tibby couldn’t force the words past her lips, worried the pair would immediately see through the lie.
“Can you ladies keep a secret?” Michael asked the sisters.
Tibby stared at him in astonishment. No, they couldn’t. Their propensity for gossip was what made them unliked by the entire literary league. Not just gossip, but the mean-spirited kind.
Lady Lucinda shared an excited look with her sister. “Of course, we can.”
Tibby pressed her lips firmly together before the word “liar” escaped.
“Lady Tabitha and I have recently become betrothed.” Michael grinned as if he were the happiest man on earth. “You’re among the first to know.”
The sisters swung their gazes in unison to Tibby, clearly unable to believe the news could be true.
A hot flush of embarrassment filled Tibby’s cheeks. This was a disaster. How had she thought she could pretend to be betrothed when it was impossible for anyone to believe it? Michael was charismatic and handsome while she was just...Tibby. Plain, awkward Tibby who no one bothered to look at twice.
Even now, Lady Lucinda’s eyes widened. “C—congratulations, Lady Tabitha.” She looked at Michael again. “Congratulations to you both.”
A look of what appeared to be longing flashed across the woman’s face. Tibby recognized it, for she’d felt the same way more times than she could count.
“We wish you much happiness,” Lady Jane added with a wistful smile.
To Tibby’s surprise, they both seemed to think her reaction was natural rather than because she was pretending. “Thank you,” she managed.
“If you’ll excuse us, Lady Tabitha has promised me a dance.” With that, Michael led her toward the dance floor. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked.
“No, it wasn’t.” Perhaps this was going to work after all.
She only wished she could ask him not to look at her as if she mattered more than anything to him. If she wasn’t careful, she’d start to believe it.
Chapter Ten
“Good afternoon, Shaw.” Viscount Garland rose to shake Michael’s hand at the club the following afternoon.
“Garland. I see you survived the ball without issue.”
The viscount chuckled as he gestured toward a chair at the table. “Yes, but I’m hoping not to repeat the experience any time soon.”
Michael was in fine spirits. He’d spent the morning jotting down notes on a potential story idea that seemed promising. Writing a mystery would be challenging, but one he looked forward to.
He’d slept well last night. The few times he’d woke, he shifted his thoughts away from painful memories and instead mulled over ideas for his mystery. That had proven quite effective in calming his usual restlessness.
Well, thoughts on the book, as well as those of Tibby, he amended. Her suggestion of pretending to be betrothed had certainly changed how he thought of her, and her recommendation that he write a book had continued that path.
How was it that she knew him better than he’d realized, yet he didn’t feel as if he knew her in the same fashion? She surprised him at every turn, making him wonder what she might say or do next.
“I would think all the looks cast your way by the ladies would be flattering.” Michael signaled for the waiter.
Garland gave a mock shudder. “Not when I know what they truly want.”
“Are you certain you don’t wish to marry? Or is it that you haven’t found a lady who has caught your interest?”
“My interest, perhaps, but not my affection.” Garland held his gaze for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Not like you have.”
Michael hesitated on how to respond. He’d been playing a part last evening during the ball. How could he not continue to do so after seeing Tibby’s upset caused by the conversation with the two sisters?
“Don’t deny it,” Garland said after they’d ordered their drinks. “I saw the way you looked at Lady Tabitha. You two are clearly in love.”
Michael did his best to hide his surprise. “I have known her for a long time. Since childhood.”
Garland leaned forward with elbows on the table. “What changed? How did you know?”
She suggested we pretend to be betrothed. He couldn’t share that. He searched his mind for an explanation that would sound plausible. “I suppose I saw a different side of her I hadn’t noticed. As if I didn’t know her as well as I thought I did.” He still didn’t.
“Hmm. You should definitely speak with the Earl of Bolton, for you seem to have much in common from what he told me.” Garland took a sip of his whisky. “Enough of women and marriage. Tell me of your adventures. How did you find New Zealand?”
Though Michael had little desire to speak of his time in the military, it was preferable to his complicated feelings for Tibby.
When he’d realized how uncomfortable she was when he’d pressed her to share their betrothal with Lady Lucinda and Lady Jane, his chest had tightened. If she couldn’t share the news, how was she ever going to endure the questions and comments she’d receive when she broke it off?
Or did she expect to withdraw from Society at that point and remain home, taking care of her mother?
They needed to speak further on the topic, so he understood her plan. Perhaps they could create a valid excuse together that suited her.
He pulled his thoughts back to Garland’s question. “New Zealand is a beautiful country. Rugged and untamed. The wildlife is unique.”
“And Australia?”
“A different world entirely, though I saw only a small portion of it.” Michael nodded toward Garland. “What of you? I’m certain you had your own adventures in the time I’ve been gone.”
“A few,” he admitted with a smile only to quickly sober. “Though my father would prefer I have none.”
“I hoped that perhaps the situation had improved.” Michael remembered all too well Garland recounting some of the disagreements he’d had with his overly strict father.
“Not at all. He still quotes Bible verses as if they are imprinted on his soul and frequently threatens to disinherit me for my foul behavior.”
“That can’t be easy to endure.” Michael knew that when the viscount was younger, he’d been deprived of food and water for days when his father had found fault. Garland had moved from home immediately after university.
“I would walk away and never see him again if it weren’t for Mother.”
Michael drew a slow breath at the reminder of her. The woman had been little more than a shadow the last time he’d seen her. She wasn’t allowed to stand at her husband’s side, only behind him. Her mission in life was to remain as invisible as possible, both to her husband and any onlookers.
That had to be impossible for her son to watch, yet Michael knew Garland wouldn’t abandon her completely to his father’s strange ideas.
“I wish I knew a way to help.” Michael waited to see if Garland would say more. He didn’t think many knew how terrible the situation was or how deeply it affected the viscount. He let few people know his true self. That was something to which Michael could relate as he had his share of secrets he had no intention of telling anyone.
“As do I.” Garland stared into his drink for a long moment before lifting his gaze to meet Michael’s. “It sounds terrible, but I wish he were dead.”
“I don’t blame you.” From what little Michael knew, it seemed the only way the situation would change.
Garland had already tried numerous tactics from pleading with his father to threatening him to quoting Bible verses back to him. Nothing swayed the earl from his opinion that he acted as a true Christian gentleman should and that no one else did, including his son.
Michael’s frustration with his mother’s continual comments about finding a wife now felt petty. Still, he refused to allow Tibby’s situation to become more dire than it already was. Helping her by pretending they were engaged was the right thing to do. It wasn’t hurting anyone and might aid Tibby and Lady Dunford.
Whether he wanted it to end any time soon was a question for another day. Surely, it wasn’t wrong to enjoy the pleasurable moments with Tibby. Worry over the future could wait a few more weeks.
TIBBY PAUSED OUTSIDE the closed door of her mother’s bedroom and took a moment to gather her defenses. She had been very displeased that Tibby had gone to the ball and made that displeasure known from the moment she’d woken.
In all honesty, Tibby hadn't realized how difficult a pretend betrothal with Michael would be to carry out. Misleading friends and family wasn’t easy, and regret was a heavier burden than she’d expected. The continued reminders to herself that it wouldn’t be a lie if she were able to convince Michael they were the perfect match didn’t alleviate her worry.
But how did she protect her heart when he was being so caring and believable in his role as her fiancé? That was another element she hadn't fully considered. Instead, she’d only looked forward to being with him. Each time they were together, her feelings for him grew. What she felt now was so different than before—richer and deeper.
With so many conflicting emotions tumbling through her, it was difficult to enjoy their time together.
Telling herself to enjoy them no longer seemed wise—not when she feared for her heart.
She shifted the tea tray and tapped on the door before opening it. “I brought tea, Mother,” she announced with a cheery smile.
Her mother had remained in bed all day, adding to Tibby’s guilt. However, the sight of her propped against the pillows looking healthy despite her protests otherwise also filled Tibby with frustration.
Was it so much to ask that her mother think of someone other than herself for a change?
“You needn’t have bothered,” her mother replied then heaved a sigh. “I don’t know that I feel up to having tea.” She tugged at the bed linens to tuck them more firmly around her.
“Nonsense.” Tibby rounded the bed with the tray, keeping her smile in place. “Cook made some of the little frosted cakes you like. I thought we might read while we have our tea.”
“Are you certain you have time to spend with me?” Her mother glanced out the window. “I thought perhaps you and Captain Shaw had plans for the afternoon.”
Her mother had always called Michael by his given name until she’d learned of their betrothal. Then he’d suddenly become Captain Shaw.
Tibby took a firmer hold on her patience. “Not this afternoon.” She didn’t know when she might see Michael again. They hadn’t determined the next steps for their plan as of yet. She’d been tempted to visit his greenhouse this morning with the hope of seeing him, but with her mother in such low spirits, she’d decided it was best not to.
